Newmarket: Jewan surprises with impressive win in Andrew Balding’s Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes | Racing news

Jiwan caused a 25-1 shock in what looked to be a top-class renewal of the Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket.

Impressive in winning the Acomb Stakes at York, Andrew Balding-trained Gray then disappointed on soft ground behind subsequent Group One winner Puerto Rico in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster.

James Doyle was always first on the Night Of Thunder colt and made great pace in the race three furlongs out.

With Gstaad, Distant Storm and previously unbeaten Zavateri all suddenly three lengths behind, Gewan had to keep going and he did so in style, beating Aidan O’Brien’s 7-4 favorite Gstaad, who was hot early, by three-quarters of a length, with Distant Storm in third And Zavateri is in fourth place.

Balding won the Dewhurst in 2022 with Al Chaldani, who also ridden Acomb and won the 2000 Guineas the following season.

“We were saying before the race he was overpriced because his performance at York was so good we thought you’d have to forgive him at Doncaster,” the Kingsclare trainer said. “So we had no hope, but you still had to come and do it.

“James has given him a great ride and he is a very good horse.

“The soft ground at Doncaster didn’t help, but I don’t think that was the case, for whatever reason he wasn’t at his best. But he was today.

“It’s very similar to the Chaldeans, but the one thing they didn’t do was win at Doncaster, they followed the same route.

“If you can forgive his Doncaster run, he came here with every opportunity as Acomb’s performance was very strong. It’s a relief, but his work at home suggests he will play a role today.”

Doyle added: “He killed them between three and two and handled the track well.

“There was absolutely no fluke in it, he felt like a good horse. He accelerated very smartly and I knew he wouldn’t get caught.”